צָחֹר (tsa.chor)
tsa.chor
tawny
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective tsachor describes a specific hue, typically rendered as tawny or pale yellow. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, within the Song of Deborah in Judges 5:10. The context is vivid and sensory: the text invites listeners to reflect on the experience of riding on "white donkeys," sitting on rich rugs, and walking along the road.
In this passage, tsachor modifies the donkeys, likely referring to their light-colored or dusty coats. This detail grounds the poetic vision in a tangible reality, evoking the image of travelers moving through the landscape. The word adds a layer of visual texture to the scene, contrasting with the darker tones often associated with war or judgment elsewhere in the narrative.
Its rarity makes this single occurrence particularly significant for understanding the imagery of Judges 5. Rather than a general term for white, it suggests a specific shade that would have been familiar to ancient readers. The word helps paint a picture of ordinary life and movement, reminding us that the song celebrates not just divine victory, but the restoration of peaceful daily routines.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsachor appears just once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Judges 5:10. It describes a tawny or pale yellow hue, likely referring to the coats of donkeys used by travelers. This specific detail paints a vivid picture of daily life after a time of conflict. The imagery shifts from the violence of war to the quiet rhythm of ordinary movement along the road.
For your faith, this rare word reminds us that God cares about the texture of everyday existence. It is not only about grand victories but also about the restoration of peace where people can travel safely again. When you read Scripture, notice how these small sensory details ground spiritual truths in real human experience. The return to simple routines is itself a gift.
This single occurrence invites us to appreciate the beauty in the mundane. It suggests that divine blessing often looks like the ability to sit on a rug or ride a donkey without fear. Such moments of normalcy are worth celebrating as signs of grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tawny1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צְחֹר֜וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 5:10
“Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way.
The term specifies the color of the donkeys, grounding the poetic celebration of peace in a tangible visual detail of travel.